July 12, 2015 Painted Hills and Bend Oregon...one last time

Woke to....yup, cloudy skies, but there was hope.  50% chance of rain and thunder storms...the truck was loaded...sun-screen and shorts for the "opptomist" and "umbrellas and sweatshirts for the "pessimist"...

Drove through the July 2014 10,000 acre Ochoco National Forest Fire , believed to be started by lightning on July 13.  Took over 2 weeks to contain.

By early day...we were arriving at the Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument....looked okay...driving along...nothing too spectacular...George wondering where I was taking him...

Just one more corner....here it comes.....http://mitchelloregon.us/painted-hills/

Check out the colour of the mud at the side of the road from the recent rain..

Think I have seen this colour somewhere today!!!

With every corner...a new and amazing picture...

Patient driver...pulling over and waiting for me to take yet another picture!!!

Beautiful drive to the viewpoint...

And once again...more amazing views..

Apparently...they need a bigger sign here.  They had these posted everywhere as people...(or idiots) blazed trails over these fragile hills..that took millions of years to become this beautiful...

It was getting kinda warm...Sun was shining finally....love the warm weather....but Gracie is showing her age ...

Headed down the road towards Mitchell....

And this is Mitchell...Never judge a "book by it's cover"...people we met at the campsite...ate at a restaurant that looked similar to this...and said it was the "best food ever"...

Sunshine and lollipops....to ...you guessed it...

Did see something really cool in the rain...didn't have a chance to get a picture...Guy dragging his old RV doiwn the road....sparks flying everywhere...yes dragging...??? only in America.

Got back to Prineville...sunshine and lollipops...so back in the truck and off to Bend to see what else we could see.  The Deschutes River snakes its way through town, people paddling, paddleboarding and kayaking all over, and gorgeous parks along the water as well.

Checked out downtown and the Summer Festival again, under nicer skies...

great music...

Here's a great way to advertise your business....Turf your truck!!! that would have been FUN!!!

And a foldable bike...in a bike carrier!!!

Cute houses...mostly small in town, most have been renovated or are in the process...average house price in Bend $204,000.00...steal of a deal for a great place like this...

Shoe tree anyone???